Crimping pliers for orthodontists



Sept. 1, 1964 wALLsHElN 3,146,804

CRIMFING PLIERS FOR ORTHODONTISTS Filed Dec. 27, 1961 FIG 3 r' 4 I!"-I\IIIIII 1 INVENTOR, MELVIN WALLSHEIN/ Fl G5 ATTORNEK ited States Patent O 3,146,804 CRMPING PLIERS FOR ORTHODONTISTS Melvin Wallshein, 8645 Bay Parkway, Brooklyn, N.Y. Filed Dec. 27, 1961, Ser. No. 163,013 1% Claims. (Cl. 140-4416) The present invention relates to crimping pliers for Orthodontists and for general use to make one crimp at a time in a length of wire and the like; such tool being of the class where a finger is passed into a clevis to draw the wire between the tines; the length of the crimp made, being determined by the extent of movement of said finger. For an example of a plier of this class, note is made of my Patent No. 2,755,692 issued on July 24, 1956.

Heretofore, it was an arduous task in measurement to make a crimp to start at one side of a point marked on a wire, even if the extent of finger movement could be fixed to determine crimp length. It was quite a job to make two crimps so that they be a predetermined distance apart even if they were to be identical and the difficulty increased if the crimps were to be unequal in length. This was so, because the tool of the class mentioned could only be applied to a wire as to determine the crest position of a crimp to be made, while the arms of the U-form to be in the wire, came from material at each side of the crest portion.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a novel and improved plier construction of the character described, which will make a crimp to one side of a given point in a wire and in this manner will further afford easy setting of the plier to make two successive crimps a predetermined distance apart, though effected one at a time and though their lengths may be different. The term length as herein used, is the depth of the crimps U-form.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel and improved crimping plier construction having the mentioned attributes, which is simple in construction, easy to use, reasonable in cost and efiicient in carrying out the purposes for which it is designed.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent as this disclosure proceeds.

For the practice of this invention, one form it may assume is to have means which will clamp the wire fast against one of the tines of the clevis jaw while the finger jaw of the plier is in contact with the wire. Preferably, such clamping action shall commence a bit before the finger comes into contact with the wire. One construction to accomplish this is to have a spring-biased element opposite one of the tines to form a clamp therewith; such clamping element being carried by the finger jaw of the pliers. In another form, said clamping element may be on the clevis jaw to be pushed by a spring-biased member carried on the finger jaw. Other preferred incidents of structure will be explained in the detailed description which follows.

In the accompanying drawing forming part of this specification, similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views.

FIG. 1 is a perspective View showing a crimping plier embodying the teachings of this invention. Here, the plier structure is of the parallel jaw type, shown in open condition ready to receive a wire to form a crimp therein.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the clevis jaw of the plier of FIG. 1.

3,1468% Patented Sept. 1, 1964 FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the finger which moves between the tines of the clevis jaw; said finger being part of the other jaw of the plier.

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of a crimping plier of modified construction, shown making a crimp in a wire.

FIG. 5 is an elevational View of another modified construction.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary top plan view of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic top plan view of the pliers herein taught, showing a wire mounted, ready to be clamped to one of the tines and then to move the finger jaw further, to form the crimp.

FIG. 8 is a view like FIG. 7, showing the plier components in their related position to accomplish the crimp. Here, the crimp is shown made.

FIG. 9 is an elevational view, fragmentarily shown, of a plier specially suited for Orthodontists to make crimps in an arch wire which is mounted in a mouth.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary elevational view of another modified construction.

In the drawings, the numeral 15 designates generally a wire-crimping device incorporated in a well known parallel-jaw plier structure denoted generally by the numeral 16. One plier jaw 17 has an opening which may be the space between the tines 18, 19 of a clevis form 29, in which space is adapted to pass a finger 21 extending from the other plier jaw 22. When the plier is open as shown in FIG. 1, said finger is directed towards the space between said tines; said finger being perpendicular to the general plane of said tines and centrally between said tines, spaced from each when between them, to draw a wire 23 into crimp form as shown in FIG. 8. The tip of the finger 21 has a transverse notch 24 to seat the wire and in line with such notch, the tine 18 has a transverse notch 25 for like purpose. The tine 19 also serves as the tine of a clevis 26 whose bight 27 serves as a seat for the wire in line with the notch 25; the clevis 20 being perpendicular to the clevis 26. The mentioned seats for 10- cating the wire are desirable, but for specific uses in some instances, one or all may be dispensed with. The plier jaw 22 carries a plunger 28 biased by the tensed compression spring 29, so that the terminal element 30 on such plunger, directly opposite the tine 18, shall act in cooperation with such tine, as a clamp for the wire being worked on. When the plier is open, it is preferred that the clamping element 30 shall be nearer to the tine 18 than the seat offered by the fingers notch 24, so that the wire shall be gripped tight at the tine 18 before the finger acts to bend and draw the wire into crimp-form.

When the plier structure is of the pivoted crossed blade type as shown at FIG. 4, it is advisable to have the clamping element 31 with a rounded surface 31' because of the changing angle of the axis of the plunger rod 32 with respect to the cooperating tine surface 33 as the plier is closed. This will serve for small crimps. When the length of crimp is larger, it is suggested to have the finger as 34 in FIG. 9, with some permitted swing movement about axis 35, in the manner set forth in my said patent. While we are at FIG. 9, I may mentioned that this embodiment is specially suited for use by orthodontists to make a crimp in an arch wire mounted in a mouth as shown in my said patent. Hence, I have the tilted clevis as shown at 36. I may also note, that each of the pliers illustrated may include an adjustable stop screw 45 to limit the amount of closing to get a crimp of predetermined length laterally of the wire.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the clamping element 37 is at one end of a swingable element 38 pivoted at 39 to the clevis-bearing jaw 40, and held opposite its co-operating tine 41, normally a bit spaced therefrom for admission of a wire between them. The tension coil spring 42 is then untensed and merely acts as a prop to hold the element 38 in such position. The plungers end surface is rounded as shown at 43. When such plier is closed, the plunger will press the clamping element 37 and stress both springs 44 and 42.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 10, the clamping element 45 is the tip end, meaning the free end of the cantilever blade spring 46, which is on the jaw carrying the finger. It is evident that to form a crimp C in a wire 23, the wire is set across the tines 18, 19, resting in the seat ofiered by the channel 26 and the notch when the plier is open. Now, upon closing the plier the clamping element will clamp the wire tight to the tine 1S and then the finger 21 will draw the wire between the tines to form the crimp C; the length of the crimp being determined by the extent of movement of the finger from the time it enters between the tines as controlled by the operator, or as permitted by the setting of the adjustable screw 45. It is to be noted that all wire material forming the crimp comes only from the wire portion which is to one side of the tine 18.

To make a crimp so that its crest is determined by the finger, which is mandatory, but one of its roots shall start at point P, set the wire so that point P marked on the wire is at the inside edge of the tine 18. Now, after such crimp is made, remove the wire and should the next crimp be desired at such position that the distance between the center lines of the crimps be some definite distance, then mark point P on the wire so that the distance between the points P and P is such definite distance. Then place the wire in the plier so that point P is at the inner edge of the tine 18 and make the second crimp. The crimps so made may be of the same or of different lengths. In all instances, the distance fixed between crimps, that is the distance between the points P and P will remain regardless of the size of crimps formed.

It will be readily understood to those versed in the art, without further illustration, that plier constructions herein taught, are readily adapted to crimp wire, ribbon and strip material.

It is to be noted that when the pliers have their jaws suificiently apart, the springs 28, 44 and 46 may be in unstressed condition; such becoming stressed only upon closing the plier they are a component of. It is therefore mentioned that it is intended that even under such condition, the plunger 28 and the cantilever spring 46 shall be deemed to be included in the term springbiased member in the appended claims.

This invention is capable of numerous forms and various applications without departing from the essential features herein disclosed. It is therefore intended and desired that the embodiments shown herein shall be deemed merely illustrative and not restrictive and that the patent shall cover all patentable novelty herein set forth; reference being had to the following claims rather than to the specific description herein to indicate the scope of this invention.

I claim:

1. An orthodontists crimping tool consisting of a pair of opposed relatively movable jaws; one of said jaws having a finger extending laterally therefrom towards the second jaw; said second jaw having an opening through which said finger can pass; said opening having a pair of opposite edges between which said finger is positioned when within said opening, a clamping element carried on one of the jaws, between them and to one side of both said edges of said opening and a spring-biased member carried by the first jaw, adapted to push said element towards the second jaw while the finger is entered into said opening; said element being directly opposite the second jaw; said finger when in said opening, being spaced a predetermined distance from each of those opposite edges of said opening, whereby on placing a wire across said opening between the second jaw to one side of said wire and said finger and clamping element to the other side of said wire and so that said wire extends respective predetermined distances beyond each of said edges respectively, then upon moving said jaws towards one another, the finger will draw the wire into said opening while the clamping element and the second jaw co-operate to hold the wire fast between them, near one of said edges, to one side of said opening.

2. A tool as defined in claim 1, wherein the second jaw is a clevis comprising a pair of spaced tines and said opening is the space between such tines; the clamping element being opposite one of said tines.

3. A tool as defined in claim 1, wherein the general plane of the finger and member is prependicular to the general plane of the jaws.

4. A tool as defined in claim 1, wherein the clamping element is on said member.

5. A tool as defined in claim 1, wherein the second jaw is a clevis comprising a pair of spaced tines in extension of such jaw and said opening is the space between said tines; the clamping element being directly opposite one of said tines, the inner edges of said tines being the opposite edges of the opening.

6. A tool as defined in claim 1, wherein the clamping element is nearer to the second jaw than the finger is, when said finger is away from the second jaw.

7. A tool as defined in claim 1, including means on the second jaw to the other side of said opening, for holding a wire from appreciable movement away from the second jaw when such wire is against the second jaw and across said opening.

8. A tool as defined in claim 1, wherein the jaws are in pivotal relation and that surface of the clamping element which faces the second jaw is of a rounded contour.

9. A tool as defined in claim 1, wherein the tip end of the finger is provided with a transverse notch and so is that surface of the second jaw which faces the clamping element; said notches being in alignment when the finger is about to enter said mentioned opening.

10. A tool as defined in claim 9, including seating means on the second jaw at the other side of said opening for supporting and holding a Wire from more than a slight movement away from the second jaw when the wire is seated thereon against the second jaw and across said opening; a wire when so seated being positioned to be in the notch in the second jaw when the clamping element presses against said wire in co-operation with the second aw.

11. A tool as defined in claim 1, wherein the clamping element is movably carried on the second jaw.

12. A tool as defined in claim 11, including means to limit the extent of movement of said clamping element towards the first jaw.

13. A tool as defined in claim 12, including spring means biasing the clamping element away from the second jaw.

14. A tool as defined in claim 13, wherein said spring means serves to limit the extent of movement of said clamping element towards the first jaw.

15. A tool as defined in claim 1, wherein the springbiased member is a plunger.

16. A tool as defined in claim 1, wherein the clamping element is a head on said plunger.

17. A tool as defined in claim 1, wherein the springbiased member is a cantilever blade spring.

18. A tool as defined in claim 17, wherein the clamping element is at the free end of said blade spring.

19. An orthodontists crimping tool consisting of the combination of a pair of opposed relatively movable jaws; one of said jaws having a finger extending laterally therefrom towards the second jaw; said second jaw having an opening through which said finger can pass and a means to hold a wire stationary at one side of said opening while said finger is entered into said opening; said finger when in said opening, being spaced a predetermined distance from the respective edges of said opening, whereby on placing a wire across said opening to be met by said finger as the finger travels into said opening upon movement of said jaws towards each other; said means holding said wire fast at one side of said opening, the finger will draw the wire into said opening to form a crimp therein only from material of that portion of said wire which is to one side of the portion held stationary.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,141,916 Aderer June 8, 1915 1,728,631 Sandoz Sept. 17, 1929 2,230,663 Alden Feb. 4, 1941 2,458,536 Sherman Jan. 11, 1949 2,459,044 Pirz Jan. 11, 1949 2,732,744 Kuchrnan et al Jan. 31, 1956 

1. AN ORTHODONTIST''S CRIMPING TOOL CONSISTING OF A PAIR OF OPPOSED RELATIVELY MOVABLE JAWS; ONE OF SAID JAWS HAVING A FINGER EXTENDING LATERALLY THEREFROM TOWARDS THE SECOND JAW; SAID SECOND JAW HAVING AN OPENING THROUGH WHICH SAID FINGER CAN PASS; SAID OPENING HAVING A PAIR OF OPPOSITE EDGE BETWEEN WHICH SAID FINGER IS POSITIONED WHEN WITHIN SAID OPENING, A CLAMPING ELEMENT CARRIED ON ONE OF THE JAWS, BETWEEN THEM AND TO ONE SIDE OF BOTH SAID EDGES OF SAID OPENING AND A SPRING-BIASED MEMBER CARRIED BY THE FIRST JAW, ADAPTED TO PUSH SAID ELEMENT TOWARDS THE SECOND JAW WHILE THE FINGER IS ENTERED INTO SAID OPENING; SAID ELEMENT BEING DIRECTLY OPPOSITE THE SECOND JAW; SAID FINGER WHEN IN SAID OPENING, BEING SPACED A PREDETERMINED DISTANCE FROM EACH OF THOSE OPPOSITE EDGES OF SAID OPENING, WHEREBY ON PLACING A WIRE ACROSS SAID OPENING BETWEEN THE SECOND JAW TO ONE SIDE OF SAID WIRE AND SAID FINGER AND CLAMPING ELEMENT TO THE OTHER SIDE OF SAID WIRE AND SO THAT SAID WIRE EXTENDS RESPECTIVE PREDETERMINED DISTANCES BEYOND EACH OF SAID EDGES RESPECTIVELY, THEN UPON MOVING SAID JAWS TOWARDS ONE ANOTHER, THE FINGER WILL DRAW THE WIRE INTO SAID OPENING WHILE THE CLAMPING ELEMENT AND THE SECOND JAW CO-OPERATE TO HOLD THE WIRE FAST BETWEEN THEM, NEAR ONE OF SAID EDGES, TO ONE SIDE OF SAID OPENING. 